The Days of Marrying a Villain

Chapter 1 Proposing Marriage

In the depths of winter, just as the red plum blossoms were in full bloom, after a night of heavy snowfall, the weather cleared up, and the bright sunlight shone down, creating a magnificent scene of shimmering red plum blossoms, as radiant as rosy clouds. The ten thousand red plum trees of the Yue State Duke's Mansion were famous throughout the capital, and on this day, a banquet was held, and an opera troupe was arranged to invite everyone to appreciate the plum blossoms and listen to the opera.

Beside the plum grove, towering pavilions and exquisite warm chambers, the aroma of incense wafting from the black gold Boshan censer, and the charcoal brazier filling the room with a warm fragrance.

The room was filled with ladies from noble families, adorned in silks, brocades, pearls, and gold. Beneath their opulent attire, however, their words were sharp and cutting.

"Is Wei Youtong coming? We've been waiting for ages," someone asked.

"After such a disgraceful incident, how dare she show her face here?"

Someone covered their mouth and laughed, "If it were me, and I did something like threatening to drown myself, even if I were saved, I would be so ashamed."

"She's shameless. I heard she even went to Jin Guang Temple yesterday to burn incense for the Bodhisattva and ask the Buddha for guidance." The sour mockery was laced with sarcasm. "If you ask me, even if the Buddha is the most compassionate, he wouldn't save someone as shameless as her. It's obvious that His Highness Prince Rui doesn't like her, yet he still clings to her relentlessly."

"After all, it was the high branch she dreamed of climbing, and now it's been given to someone else, tsk!" A gloating laugh.

Inside, the room was filled with chatter, mostly in a disdainful and contemptuous tone, occasionally broken by a calm voice, "It's because she's so infatuated, so deeply in love..."

However, this was immediately interrupted by a rebuttal—

"What kind of infatuation is this? His Highness Prince Rui is marrying Sister Xu. The imperial decree has been issued. Who in the capital doesn't know that? For her to go and cry and make a scene to force him is called clinging and pestering. It's wishful thinking!"

"..."

One voice after another entered my ears. Although it sounded lively, it was just five or six people taking turns laughing.

Separated by thick curtains, You Tong stood outside the warm pavilion, a hint of irritation flashing between her brows.

Chuncao, the maidservant who accompanied the young lady, couldn't stand it any longer and complained bitterly, "That voice belongs to Xu Miao. She's definitely trying to ruin the young lady's reputation. The young lady finally got through it, and she's trying to force the young lady to..."

“I know.” You Tong interrupted her, bowing her head and brushing her sleeves.

She knew, of course, what the Xu family was planning, and she also knew the reason for today's discussions.

...

Many people in the capital had heard of Wei Youtong's name.

Her grandfather was a study companion of Emperor Wenchang and had a close relationship with the royal family, often accompanying the emperor. Her name was also given by Emperor Wenchang—"Harmony and Prosperity, with Ten Thousand Blessings Shared," which also contains the meaning of "Phoenix Perching on the Wutong Tree."

The intention to favor someone is obvious from this naming choice.

When Wei Youtong was young, he was often brought into the palace to play and was greatly favored by the emperor.

Emperor Wenchang's most beloved grandson was Xu Chaozong, who later became Prince Rui. Xu was three years older than Wei Youtong, and the emperor often summoned both of them to his side. It is said that the emperor even proposed marriage to Wei's grandfather, waiting for the two children to grow up and become a couple. Whether this news was true or not, no one knew or mentioned it after the old man passed away.

However, the two were childhood sweethearts, and even after Emperor Wenchang passed away, their affection remained strong and never faded.

Royal children are naturally of exceptional talent and beauty, and You Tong is especially beautiful at a young age, with a natural and stunning appearance that is unmatched in the capital.

When they reached the age of first love, the young man and woman fell in love. Xu Chaozong promised to marry no one but her, and Wei Youtong also devoted herself to him with all her heart, showing him great care and consideration, and even risking her life to save him from danger several times.

She truly loved and cherished Xu Chaozong as her beloved.

The entire capital believed that Xu Chaozong would marry Wei Youtong, and everyone treated this future daughter-in-law of the royal family with exceptional courtesy. Wei Youtong also considered herself special and devoted all her attention to Xu Chaozong. Having been flattered for so long, she became arrogant and sometimes treated people with disdain, thus earning a reputation for being proud and haughty.

These girls in the capital city, though they seemed friendly, secretly gossiped a lot, but they dared not speak out because of Xu Chaozong.

Two months ago, Xu Chaozong, who had just turned seventeen, prepared gifts to propose marriage. While everyone was eagerly watching the Wei family, the person who proposed marriage went to the Xu family, the Grand Tutor whom the current emperor valued most, and proposed the Grand Tutor's granddaughter, Xu Shu.

The news came as a bolt from the blue, striking Wei Youtong's heart like a bolt from the blue.

Xu Shu was her closest confidante, and they were always inseparable when they went out. She never dreamed that Xu Chaozong would marry someone else. And that person was her best friend.

Before You Tong could recover, gossip from the capital swept in like a tidal wave. Overnight, the envy turned into scorn and mockery, ridiculing her shattered dreams. You Tong went to find Xu Chaozong, wanting to get to the bottom of things, but he avoided her. Only after she came to his door in tears for the third time did he finally show up, saying that their fate was too shallow and they could not be together in this life, and he only hoped that she could find another suitable partner.

But how can a relationship of more than ten years, a relationship built on burning passion and genuine affection, be severed with just a simple "we were not meant to be"?

When her beloved turned against her and her most trusted friend stole her away, Wei Youtong was heartbroken and refused to believe it. Ignoring her family's advice, she visited Prince Rui's mansion time and time again, hoping that Xu Chaozong could explain himself and change his mind.

However, Xu Chaozong seemed determined and consistently avoided meeting her. Meanwhile, rumors spread in the shadows, embellishing her visit with all sorts of nasty gossip, even claiming that she had seduced him, threatened suicide, and cursed Xu Chaozong and Xu Shu to a terrible death out of love turned to hate. The stories were all quite detailed and convincing.

Over the years, Wei Youtong has walked among the brocade and embroidered flowers, bearing a reputation for arrogance and haughtiness, which has already attracted much jealousy.

Amidst these rumors, those who initially sympathized with her changed their tune, condemning her as shameless and accusing the Wei family of failing to properly raise their daughter.

Wei Youtong has lived a life of luxury for fourteen years, and has never been subjected to such gossip.

Rumors and slander pierced her like sharp arrows, leaving her riddled with wounds and utterly devastated. Xu Chaozong's evasive attitude was like a scimitar ripped from her heart, causing Wei Youtong's warm heart to bleed dry. She hid in her mansion, weeping day and night, afraid to go out and see anyone. Finally, in the dead of winter, in the bitterly cold night, heartbroken and desperate, she left her residence and leaped into the icy lake.

When she woke up again, she had a different soul and became the You Tong she is today.

...

Despite her body being frozen solid in the ice hole, You Tong spent a lot of effort to sort out the original owner's memories.

Scenes from the past vividly surfaced: childhood play and innocent companionship, youthful excursions and the beauty of spring and autumn. Although she felt no emotion when recalling them, she knew the original owner's joys, anxieties, and longings at that time.

Looking back, You Tong was certain that the original owner of this body deeply loved Xu Chaozong.

Many times, when fierce bears broke through the fence in the animal park, when the stones at the foot of the mountain suddenly loosened, when Xu Chaozong was ambushed and assassinated... Wei Youtong always stepped in front of him without hesitation, risking his life to save him, even if it left him with scars, almost disfigured or killed, he never hesitated for a moment.

However, all this sincerity received in return was a "we were not meant to be" statement and a deluge of rumors.

As a transmigrator who has witnessed countless gossips and scandals, You Tong certainly knows how terrifying such one-sided rum

……